Ark. Representative to not seek third term in U.S. House

Tim Griffin's campaign says the Republican congressman won't seek a third term representing central Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Campaign manager David Ray says Griffin won't run for re-election, with a formal announcement expected later today. The unexpected announcement came just days after Griffin said he'd raised more than $208,000 for his re-election bid in the third quarter.

In November, Griffin was named to the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, becoming the first Republican from Arkansas to serve on the tax-writing panel. At the time, Griffin said he wouldn't run for Arkansas governor or the U.S. Senate because of the appointment.

Griffin is a former interim U.S. attorney who's also worked in the White House Office of Political Affairs.